Mechanical player for stringed instruments



Feb. 13, 1934. E, w. c

MECHANICAL PLAYER FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 14, 1936' 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Middmvswron MECHANICAL PLAYER FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 14, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORN EY Feb. 13, 1934. w BACH 1,946,827

MECHANICAL PLAYER FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 14, 1933 s Sheets-Sheet s 'mwz Maw ATTOR N EY Feb. 13, 1934. w H 1,946,827

MECHANICAL PLAYER FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Mara! h/fiawfi, T

ATTORN EY Feb. 13, 1934. E. w. BAcH 1,946,827

MECHANICAL PLAYER FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 14, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet .5

lazlzfh/fiaah INVENTOR ATTO R N EY Feb. 13, 1934. E, w BACH 1,946,827

MECHANICAL PLAYER FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 14, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 0 O O O\ O ward mvsmol! ATTOR N EY Feb. 13, 1934. E, w. BACH 1,946,827

MECHANICAL PLAYER FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 14, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 TNVENTOR ATTOR N EY Feb. 13, 1934. E. w. BACH MECHANICAL PLAYER FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 14, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR ATTORNEY mm 9% mm N I II! u i m m m l\|\ w/ a S a g Q m w 9 a. 9 9& 6 r g a m m m Tim! Patented Feb. 13, 1934 PATENT orrics MECHANICAL PLAYER FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Edward W. Bach, Rose Canad Application August 14,

9 Claims.

The invention relates to a mechanical player for stringed instruments and more especially to an apparatus for use in playing a guitar.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, wherein a stringed instrument can be placed therein and such instrument mechanically played, thereby enabling the player to manually control other musical instruments while playing the stringed instrument within the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, wherein the construction of the same is of novel form and will permit the placing of a stringed instruinent therein and the holding of the same so that the instrument can be mechanically played with accuracy and tone qualities as if played by name.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, wherein the mechanism thereof is controlled by the feet and limbs of a player so that the stringed instrument can be played, such as a guitar, under the manipulation of the of the feet and limbs of a person.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character which is comparatively simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in its operation,

readily portable, neat in appearance, assuring the mechanical playing of a stringed instrument, permitting tuning of the strings of such instru ment without necessitating the removal of the latter from the apparatus, strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described in detail,

illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view partly in section of the apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention, showing a stringed musical instrument therein for the playing of the same mechanically.

Figure 2 is a front elevation partly in section.

Figure 3 is a vertical lon itudinal sectional view through the apparatus.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Lake, British Columbia,

1933. Serial No. 685,127

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6--6 of Figure 2.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 99 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view showing in side elevation one of the picker fingers.

Figure 11 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the series of foot pedals of the apparatus.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective View of the damper control, this being of the foldable type.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the clamps for the musical instrument.

Figure 15 is an elevation of the key control for the instrument.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 showing a slight modification.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the key stick.

Figure 18 is a View similar to Figure 17 showing the stick in a shifted position, the same being manually controlled.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the player or apparatus comprises a supporting frame A including end uprights 10 with the lower and upper cross pieces 11 and 12, respectively, upper side sills 13, these being made fast to the end uprights in any suitable manner, and the base flooring 14 builded in any desirable manner. Intermediate of the frame is a cross strut 15 from which rise vertical tube-like braces 16, these being extended and made fast to the side sills 13 to give rigidity and strength to the said frame.

Extended inwardly from the frame A from one upper cross piece 12 is a shelf 17, while secured directly opposite the said shelf 17 to the other cross piece 12 is a bracket 18 formed with a threaded stem 19 rising above said cross piece 12 carrying the bracket. The stem 19 of the bracket is passed through a suitable hole formed in the head 20 on the neck 21 of the stringed instrument 22, the latter being disposed at rest upon the shelf 17 and such instrument is in the character of a guitar. The stem 19 has adjustably fitted therewith binding nuts 23, these acting against opposite faces of the head 20 and thus secure the latter, but permitting adjustment of the head end of said instrument, when the occasion requires.

Adjustable on the shelf 17 are mounts 24 for clamps 25 which secure the instrument 22 when imposed upon said shelf, the instrument being supported when within the apparatus in a substantially horizontal plane with the strings 26 of such instrument uppermost. Thus it will be seen that by the use of the bracket 18 and the clamps 25 the instrument 22 will be detachably and adjustably held within the apparatus for the mechanical playing thereof in a manner presently described.

Carried by the side sills 13 and disposed transversely of the frame A are bridge members 27 and 28, respectively, these being secured in any suitable manner and disposed in parallel relation to each other. The bridge member 28 is arranged considerably removed from one end of the frame A. and at this end is hinged a cover 29 fastened in lowered closing position by latches 30, the other bridge member 27 being disposed at the opposite end of the frame A.

Located adjacent to the bridge member 28 is a series of horizontally arranged guide rails 31, there being preferably in the series five rails, and, these are supported by posts 32 secured to the side sills 13 of the frame in spaced parallel relation to each other transversely of said frame. The rails 31 are adapted to be confined and concealed by the cover 29 when in closing position, this cover when in the latter position being superimposed on the side sills 13 of said frame A.

slidably fitted upon the rails 31 are carriers 33, each having therein a vertically swinging picker finger 34 supported on the horizontal pivot 35 crosswise of a way 36 in said carrier for the finger 34. Each finger 3.4, at its pivoted end, is formed with an upstanding arm 37 which projects through a slot 38 in the top 39 of the carrier. This top 39 has adjustably supported thereon a stop plate 40 which limits the throw of the arm 37 to regulate the swinging action of the picker finger 34, as will be apparent in Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings. Several of the rails 31 are adapted to support a single carrier 33, while the other rails of the series selectively support two and three or more of the carriers 33, the same being limited as to sliding movement between stop collars 41, each having a set screw 42 to permit adjustment of the same and such collars embrace the rails 31, it being preferable to have a minimum of nine picker fingers 34, while the stringed instrument 22 carries seven strings 26.

Connected with the arms 37 of the fingers 34 are throw rods 43, these being also connected to suitable bell crank levers 44 pivotally supported at 45, while opposing the pulling action of said rods 43 upon the arms 37 of the fingers 34 are coiled retractile or tensioning springs 46, these being suitably connected in adjustable anchors 47 carried by the rails 31. Thus it will be seen that the springs 46 function to lift the fingers 34 above the plane of the strings 26 of the instrument 22, which is their normal position, with the carriers 33 retrieved, while on the pulling action of the rods 43 the said fingers 34 will be lowered into playing condition for the picking of the strings 26 of the instrument 22 for the playing of the same.

At the front of the frame A and at a location convenient to an operator of the apparatus, the flooring 14 has an outward extension 48 beyond the said front of the frame A. Above this extension is a series of heel pedals 49, while inwardly of the latter is a series of toe pedals 50, these being in a horizontal plane and interhinged with a pintle shaft 51 fixedly held at the proper height from the flooring 14 by the lower cross pieces 11 and intermediate cross strut 15. The heel pedals 49 at their hinged ends are formed with depending arms 52 to which are connected coiled tensioning springs 53, these being connected to a hanger bar 54 upon brackets 55, while the toe pedals 50 at their outer ends carry eyes 56 to which are connected springs 57, these being also connected to extensible throw links 58 pivoted to selected bell crank levers 41 for the operation of the same. The arms 52 of the heel pedals 49 have also connected thereto rods 59, these being pivoted to bell crank levers 60, swingingly supported at 61 in the frame A and in their turn have connected therewith springs 62 alike to the springs 57 and these springs 62 being also connected with extensible throw links 63 alike to the links 58. The links 63 are connected to selected other bell crank levers 41 for manipulation of the same. It should be apparent that by manipulation of the heel and toe pedals 49 and 50, respectively, the picker fingers 34 of the entire group will be properly operated for the picking of the group of strings 26 of the instrument 22 for the mechanical playing of the same.

Located over the outer free ends of the heel pedals 49 is a foot rest rail 64, while over the pintle shaft 51 is a foot arch prop or fulcrum rail 65 for the feet of the operator of the apparatus to permit the feet, when operating the apparatus, to be rocked for the manipulation of the heel and toe pedals 49 and 50, respectively, as should be obvious from Figure 6 of the drawings. This rail or prop 65 is susceptible of adjustment through the medium of set screws 66 engageable with the vertical supporting posts 67 for said prop or rail for apportioning of the feet of the operator according to the height of the heels of the shoes as may be worn by such operator.

Arranged longitudinally of the frame A above the plane of the instrument 22 at opposite sides of the neck 21 thereof and held by the bridge members 27 and 28 are spaced parallel tracks or guide rods 68 upon which travels a carriage 69 which is slidably clamped to one of the tracks or rods 68 by the releasable sections 70 and 71, re spectively, at one end of said carriage, the opposite end being fitted with a single removable section 72. The carriage 69 supports a removable fret controlling plate and roller 73 and 74, respectively, the said roller being disposed in underlying relation to the strings 26 of the instrument 22, while the plate 73 overhangs such strings 26, This roller 74 is journaled in hangers 75 detachably mounted in the carriage 69 by winged nuts 76 and tensioned by springs 77, the tensioning of the same being had also by the nuts 76 whereby the pressure of the roller 74 upon the strings 26 of the instrument 22 may be controlled and through the medium of the plate 73 and roller 74 the tone volume will be controlled during the playing of the musical instrument 22, as should be obvious.

Mounted in the bridge members 27 and 28 and overhanging the carriage 69 with respect to the center thereof is a hand-turned key stick 78 which in cross section is of hexagon formation to provide a series of fiat key faces 79, these being provided with notches 80 at determined localities throughout the length of the stick so that the re- LDC) oil

spective faces '79 will be calibrated in different musical keys and such faces carry indicia 81 identifying musical notes corresponding to the calibrations, the stick '78 at each end being reduced and rounded to form a journal end 82 rotatably fitted in a suitable companion bearing 83 therefor on the bridge members 27 and 28. The carriage 69 has adjustably mounted thereon a spring arm 84 having journaled therein a roller 85 for travel upon the key faces 79 of the stick 78 and coacting with the notches 80 therein to arrest the carriage 69 at the selected notches in the stick to position the fret plate 73 and roller '74 at the determined frets commonly present upon the neck 21 of the instrument 22 for the playing of the instrument with the proper tone and key according to the music to be produced in the playing of the same. The spring arm 84 is adjustably set for the tension thereof by a fulcrum screw 86 tapped into the carriage 69, as will be apparent in Figure 3 of the drawings. The carriage has thereon a bracket 87 pivotally supporting a coupling sleeve 88 slidably fitted upon a swinging rod 89 mounted at its lower end in a bearing 90 upon a base sill 91 of the frame A. This rod 89 has connected therewith, through an adjustable extensible link 92, a knee harness 93 for connection with the knee of an operator of the apparatus and through knee action the carriage 69 can be manually shifted on the tracks 68 for the positioning of the fret plate and roller 73 and 74 in conformity with the scale designations 81 on the key stick 78 for fret locating of the frets on the neck 21 of the musical instrument 22 to assure proper tone and key control of such instrument in the execution of a piece of music by the playing of said instrument.

Suitably journaled in the frame A over the sound board of the instrument 22 in proximity to the tail piece 94 of said instrument is the main section 95 of a damper operating shaft carrying the damper 96 for the strings 26 of the in strument 22, the section 95 being a part of the foldable manipulating end 97 of said damper control shaft. This end 97, when extended or unfolded, is positioned in front of the frame A properly for leg control by a player of the apparatus, and the damper control shaft, when the apparatus is not in use, is susceptible of having its end 97 folded within the cover 29 when in closed position.

Connected with the instrument 22 is an underside truss bar 98 to assure against collapsing or distortion of the instrument 22 when placed within the frame and subjected to the mechanical playing thereof by the apparatus, especially when being strenuously played.

At the back of the frame A and conveniently positioned with respect to an operator of the apparatus is a foldable music rack 99, while shielding the front and back of said frame A at its top between the side sills l3 and the tracks or guide rods 68 are cover pieces 100, these extending from the cover 29 to the end of the frame A remote therefrom and being suitably mounted in place in any desirable manner.

It will be noted that the key stick 78 can be rotated by hand to position a selected fiat key face '79 thereof in the working position for coaction with the roller 85 on the arm 84 of the carriage 69 for the playing of a piece of music in its proper key by the instrument 22 under mechanical control thereof by the apparatus.

The strings 26 of the instrument 22 will be picked through the instrumentality of the fingers 34, these being controlled and actuated by the foot pedals 49 and 50 manually operated by the feet of the operator of the apparatus, as should be clearly obvious.

The head 20 of the instrument 22 has fitted therein the usual tuning keys 101 for the strings 26 of such instrument and these keys can be manually turned for the tuning of the instrument without its removal from the frame A of the ap paratus. Fitted with one of the journals 82 of the key stick 78 is a friction medium 1192 which prevents self-turning of the key stick 78 which is manually turned by hand and controlled by the operator of the apparatus.

In Figure 16 of the drawings there is shown a slight modification, wherein in lieu of the fret plate 73 there is provided the substitute roller 103 which is journaled in adjustable bearings 194, their adjustment being had by set screws 1% fitted in elongated slots 105 and threaded into the carriage 69.

The plate 40 is provided with slots 10'? through which are passed set screws 198 so that such plate 40 can be adjusted on the carrier 33 to regulate the throw or extent of movement of the arm 3'? of the picker finger 34, as will be ap parent from Figures 19 and 11 of the drawings.

joints of the damper control shaft are provided with suitable adjustable pivots 119 so that this end may be folded and also extended and rigidly held in its adjusted extended position for manipulation of the control shaft in the application of the damper 86 when the apparatus is operated for he mechanical playing of the instrument 22.

What is claimed is:

l. in an apparatus of the kind described, a support, a plurality of carriers movably held in said support, means for clamping a stringed musical ins rument in the support, picker fingers on said carriers and movable into and out of engagement with strings of the instrument, pedals having connection with the fingers and operably controlling the same and the said carriers, a fret device manually controlled, a knee operated device for ac ting said fret device, and a key stick manually movable and cooperating with the fret device.

In an apparatus of the kind described, a support, a plurality of carriers movably held in said support, means for clamping a stringed musical instrument in the support, picker fingers on carriers and movable into and out or" engagewent with the strings of the instrument, pedals having connection with the fingers and operably controlling the same and the said carriers, a fret device manually controlled, a knee operated device for actuating said fret device, a key stick manually movable cooperating with the fret device, and a damper manually controlled.

3. In an apparatus of the kind described, a support, a plurality of carriers movably held in said support, means for clamping a stringed inusical instrument in the support, picker fingers on said carriers and movable into and out of engagement with the strings of the instrument, pedals having connection with the fingers and operably controlling the same and the said carhis the leg of an operator and controlling said damper.

4. In an apparatus of the kind described, a support, a plurality of carriers movably held in said support, means for clamping a stringed musical instrument in the support, picker fingers on said carriers and movable into and out of engagement with the strings of the instrument, pedals having connection with the fingers and operably controlling the same and the said carriers, a fret device manually controlled, a knee operated device for actuating said fret device, a key stick manually movable and cooperating with the fret device, a damper manually controlled, foldable means adapted to be operated by the leg of an operator and controlling said damper, and means active upon the carriers to yieldably hold the same in inactive position.

5. In an apparatus of the kind described, a support, a plurality of carriers movably held in said support, means for clamping a stringed musical instrument in the support, picker fingers on said carriers and movable into and out of engagement with the strings of the instrument, pedals having connection with the fingers and operably controlling the same and the said carriers, a fret device manually controlled, a knee operated device for actuating said fret device, a key stick manually movable and cooperating with the fret device, a damper manually controlled, foldable means adapted to be operated by the leg of an operator and controlling said damper, means active upon the carriers to yieldably hold the same in inactive position, and a cover swingingly connected with the support and partially covering the top thereof.

6. In an apparatus of the kind described, a support, a plurality of carriers movably held in said support, means for clamping a stringed musical instrument in the support, picker fingers on said carriers and movable into and out of engagement with the strings of the instrument, pedals having connection with the fingers and operably controlling the same and the said carriers, a fret device manually controlled, a knee operated device for actuating said fret device, a key stick manually movable and cooperating with the fret device, a damper manually controlled, foldable means adapted to be operated by the leg of an operator and controlling said damper, means active upon the carriers to yieldably hold the same in inactive position, and a cover swingingly connected with the support and partially covering the top thereof, the pedals being arranged in series and one series controlled by the toe and the other by the heel of the feet of the operator.

'7. In an apparatus of the kind described, a support, a plurality of carriers movably held in said support, means for clamping a stringed musical instrument in the support, picker fingers on said carriers and movable into and out of engagement with the strings of the instrument, pedals having connection with the fingers and operably controlling the same and the said carriers, a fret device manually controlled, a knee operated device for actuating said fret device, a key stick manually movable and cooperating with the fret device, a damper manually controlled, foldable means adapted to be operated by the leg of an operator and controlling said damper, means active upon the carriers to yieldably hold the same in inactive position, a cover swingingly connected with the support and partially covering the top thereof, the pedals being arranged in series and one series controlled by the toe and the other by the heel of the feet of the operator, and an arch support located between the series of pedals and above the same.

8. In an apparatus of the kind described, a support, a plurality of carriers movably held in said support, means for clamping a stringed musical instrument in the support, picker fingers on said carriers and movable into and out of engagement with the strings of the instrument, pedals having connection with the fingers and operabiy controlling the same and the said carriers, a fret device manually controlled, a knee operated device for actuating said fret device, a key stick manually movable and cooperating with the fret device, a damper manually controlled, foldable means adapted to be operated by the leg of an operator and controlling said damper, means active upon the carriers to yieldably hold the same in inactive position, a cover swingingly connected with the support and par tially covering the top thereof, the pedals being arranged in series and one series controlled by the toe and the other by the heel of the feet or the operator, an arch support located between the series of pedals and above the same, and a foot rest outwardly with respect to the arch support.

9. In an apparatus of the kind described, a support, a plurality of carriers movably held in said support, means for clamping a stringed musical instrument in the support, picker fingers on said carriers and movable into and out of engagement with the strings of the instrument, pedals having connection with the fingers and operably controlling the same and the said carriers, a fret device manually controlled, a knee operated device for actuating said fret device, a key stick manually movable and cooperating with the fret device, a damper manually controlled, foldable means adapted to be operated by the leg of an operator and controlling said damper, means active upon the carriers to yieldably hold the same in inactive position, a cover swingingly connected with the support and partially covering the top thereof, the pedals being arranged in series and one series controlled by the toe and the other by the heel of the feet of the operator, an arch support located between the series of pedals and above the same, a foot rest outwardly with respect to the arch support, and means on the carriers for regulating the throw of the picker fingers.

EDWARD W. EACH. 

